Analyse your musical development and creativity with reference to identity
 

Music has always been a huge part of my life; I would go as far as to say that I responded to music whilst my mother was pregnant with me, well so I have been told.

Being mixed heritage has allowed me to explore many diverse types of music and cultures to match. There were many positives to being Bangladeshi, White Scottish and Caribbean. One of the main parts of my culture was being born in East London and embracing my Cockney roots (being born by the Bow Bells).

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In my early life I listened to a lot of pop music, it was the early 90’s and bands like Steps, Backstreet Boys and pop princesses like Britney Spears were my first idols. I would watch their music videos on MTV and other music channels and mimic their dancing and singing styles.

I started taking singing lessons from primary school age in and outside of school engadging in more music focused activities. The first genres I became accustomed to were country, pop and songs from musicals.

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In secondary school I used to learn about production and help the sound engineers and producers out. I would use music software programs like logic, fruity loops, and reason. My main passion has always been singing. I spent most of my time practicing recording vocals in the studio. This is where I learnt about musicality, instruments, and equipment. Eventually, I was taught how to play piano, drum kit and how to read music.As I got older I moved more towards R&b, soul, power ballads and gospel music playing festivals, competing in competitions with other schools and performing in school productions. Outside of school I focused more on my solo singing, performing in plays, talent shows and collaborating with other creatives, such as rappers, singers, poets, and dancers.When I turned 16 I had freedom to explore London and best of all the music scene.

 

Eventually I started making more like-minded friends and joined other musical collectives, such as Rise and tides, the lic project, and the Aberfeldy Centre.  

Not long after platforms like YouTube, Facebook and Twitter came out. Social media, become huge and I was able to network and make music connections and have an online platform to showcase my talents. I became an independent artist and sang professionally for 3- 4 years until my Grandparents fell ill this hit me hard, I soon stopped my music to become their career. I decided to work as a bartender to help make ends meet and take away the strain their illness took on their work life's. I put my passion on hold for family due to unforeseen circumstances.

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9 years later I decided to attend to some unfinished business. I decided it was time to do something for myself and reunite my passion. But this time, not only sing but have something to show for it too.

So I decided to be the first in my family to gain a degree. Covid taught me that life is too short, and that it was time to pick up where I left off and see where the next chapter of my story can take me. Hello University of East London. Time to continue my dream, so here I am ready to take things to the next level.